OT - Syracuse Women's Hockey Hires Flanagan

[ithacat]

Impressive hire. He did an incredible job at SLU, and now he gets scholarships to offer to kids.

http://www.suathletics.com/News/wice/2008/3/31/flanagan.asp?path=wice

[Josh '99]

Let's say Syracuse did at some point decided to add D-I men's hockey to their athletic program (which I guess is what everyone hoped might eventually happen when they set up their women's team).  What are the odds that they'd end up in the ECAC rather than trying to work their way into Hockey East or the CCHA?

(Yes, I know this is just speculation, which some of you hate.)

[Dpperk29]

I think Syracuse would have a hard time getting into the ECACH. having 13 teams would totally destroy the elegance of the Travel Partner system. So Cuse would either have to find another team to bring in with it (I'm thinking possibly Niagara if (or is it when?) the CHA folds would be the best choice). I doubt RIT will leave Atlantic Hockey anytime soon, but perhaps. Maybe if UML does decide to leave Hockey East as was talked about last year they might consider ECAC.

of course the other possibility is a team leaving the ECAC to be replaced by Syracuse. Who would you kick out (or whose program is ready to fold)?

Honestly I think Syracuse would be a natural fit for Atlantic Hockey. Simple proximity to RIT would make for a good rivalry there. Besides, is it in the ECAC's best interest to admit a new program which could weaken the conference even more for a few years (look how long it took union to get 'good'?)

[Josh '99]

[quote Dpperk29]Who would you kick out (or whose program is ready to fold)?[/quote]Union Union Union Union Union Union Union Union Union a thousand times Union.

[French Rage]

[quote Dpperk29](look how long it took union to get 'good'?)[/quote]

Is this one of those "is zero a number" debates?

[Jim Hyla]

I always love the garbage that is said at these things. For example:

"One of the things that impressed me is that the Syracuse athletics administration wants to do things the right way," Flanagan said. "This is an opportunity to build a program the right way. You do that by bringing in quality people with character. I think it will be a lot of fun and hopefully something that the University and the Syracuse area can be proud of.

Meaning SLU didn't go at it the right way? And he is certainly the quality one with character, if he does say so himself.

"I am indebted to my former St. Lawrence University student-athletes, whose hard work and accomplishments have given me this wonderful opportunity. I also want to thank St. Lawrence for all that it has done for me for the past 20 years. I am looking forward to the challenge and I am eager to get started."

But not too indebted that I won't take the money and run.

How about, I'm leaving because SU can pay me and my players more than SLU can. I'm glad I started here, but I don't want to stay here the rest of my life. ?

I know, I'm being too harsh.

[KeithK]

[quote Jim Hyla]How about, I leaving because SU can pay me and my players more than SLU can. I'm glad I started here, but I don't want to stay here the rest of my life. ?[/quote]
How about, I am leaving because Canton is in the god-forsaken middle of nowhere and Syracuse, while no metropolis, has some semblance of civilization. :-)

[Beeeej]

[quote KeithK][quote Jim Hyla]How about, I leaving because SU can pay me and my players more than SLU can. I'm glad I started here, but I don't want to stay here the rest of my life. ?[/quote]
How about, I am leaving because Canton is in the god-forsaken middle of nowhere and Syracuse, while no metropolis, has some semblance of civilization. :-)[/quote]

...and the Dinosaur BBQ.

[ithacat]

I would guess SU's intention would be to move their women's program to  Hockey East, as soon as possible. Fellow Big East members Providence and UConn are there, as is former Big East member BC (Syracuse and BC have begun to patch up their differences from the ACC fallout & they're scheduled to resume playing football in 2010). If that were to happen it would be the logical place for a men's program.

Syracuse is also one of the schools mentioned when Big 10/11 expansion comes up, at least among journalists. If that were to happen, as unlikely as that is, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Ohio State, Wisconsin, and Syracuse would form the BTHC. Of course, it might be more likely that Syracuse goes green and joins the Ivies.

[ugarte]

[quote Jim Hyla]

"I am indebted to my former St. Lawrence University student-athletes, whose hard work and accomplishments have given me this wonderful opportunity. I also want to thank St. Lawrence for all that it has done for me for the past 20 years. I am looking forward to the challenge and I am eager to get started."

But not too indebted that I won't take the money and run.

How about, I leaving because SU can pay me and my players more than SLU can. I'm glad I started here, but I don't want to stay here the rest of my life. ?

I know, I'm being too harsh.[/quote]
Way too harsh. If anyone ever tells me that I should turn down a higher paying job out of loyalty to my current employer I will tell them to stick it.

[Jim Hyla]

[quote ugarte][quote Jim Hyla]

"I am indebted to my former St. Lawrence University student-athletes, whose hard work and accomplishments have given me this wonderful opportunity. I also want to thank St. Lawrence for all that it has done for me for the past 20 years. I am looking forward to the challenge and I am eager to get started."

But not too indebted that I won't take the money and run.

How about, I'm leaving because SU can pay me and my players more than SLU can. I'm glad I started here, but I don't want to stay here the rest of my life. ?

I know, I'm being too harsh.[/quote]
Way too harsh. If anyone ever tells me that I should turn down a higher paying job out of loyalty to my current employer I will tell them to stick it.[/quote]But at least you'll be truthful as to the reason. Implying that somehow SU is doing it the right way, and SLU wasn't?, ticks me off.

And you know, sometimes loyalty should matter. I don't know enough about this case, but turning down money is not always bad.

[KeithK]

[quote ugarte][quote Jim Hyla]

"I am indebted to my former St. Lawrence University student-athletes, whose hard work and accomplishments have given me this wonderful opportunity. I also want to thank St. Lawrence for all that it has done for me for the past 20 years. I am looking forward to the challenge and I am eager to get started."

But not too indebted that I won't take the money and run.

How about, I leaving because SU can pay me and my players more than SLU can. I'm glad I started here, but I don't want to stay here the rest of my life. ?

I know, I'm being too harsh.[/quote]
Way too harsh. If anyone ever tells me that I should turn down a higher paying job out of loyalty to my current employer I will tell them to stick it.[/quote]
Dude, aren't you a lawyer?  Of course you have no loyalty. :-P

[Rita]

For those that are interested, NPR's Only a Game did a feature on the St. Lawrence Lady Saints on 3/15/08 (available on free podcast). It seems like Coach Flanagan has accomplished quite a bit at St. Lawrence in his time there. Getting a small school to the Women's Frozen Four (and USA Hockey Championship before the NC$$ authorized a women's hockey championship) is no small feat.

Unfortunately, St. Lawrence and their senior laden team came up short, again, in their quest for a national championship. It sounds like he is leaving the St. Lawrence program in good shape (unlike former IU basketball coach Kelvin Sampson) and he has been the head coach there for 9 years, It isn't like he was there for 1 year and then moved on to greener pastures ala Men's Basketball coach Bob Huggins.

There is quite a bit of girls hockey talent in the Syracuse area. It will be interesting to see how quickly he can get their program up to speed and on par with St. Lawrence, Harvard, UNH, especially with his involvement in the women's development program.

[Beeeej]

[quote KeithK][quote ugarte][quote Jim Hyla]

"I am indebted to my former St. Lawrence University student-athletes, whose hard work and accomplishments have given me this wonderful opportunity. I also want to thank St. Lawrence for all that it has done for me for the past 20 years. I am looking forward to the challenge and I am eager to get started."

But not too indebted that I won't take the money and run.

How about, I leaving because SU can pay me and my players more than SLU can. I'm glad I started here, but I don't want to stay here the rest of my life. ?

I know, I'm being too harsh.[/quote]
Way too harsh. If anyone ever tells me that I should turn down a higher paying job out of loyalty to my current employer I will tell them to stick it.[/quote]
Dude, aren't you a lawyer?  Of course you have no loyalty. :-P[/quote]

Hahahahaha!  Funny 'cause it bashes lawyers!  Hoo-boy!

Seriously, you can't do better than that?

[Beeeej]

Speaking of SLU women, just a few minutes ago I received an e-mail on the only dating site I still frequent, with the subject line:

Oooohhhhhhh Cornell..... I'm went to SLU....

I'm sure you're did, honey.